Archive | Woof Woof Wednesday

We were ecstatic when we were entrusted with the care of these life-saving dogs again! This year the inductees came from Sault Ste Marie, Calgary, and Niagara-On-The-Lake. The event took place at Evergreen Brickworks and had a red carpet to give the dogs and their families the full 5-star treatment to receive their medals.

Tucker

Tucker saved his entire family from a massive house fire by alerting them before the fire alarms even went off.

Rosco

Rosco was able to help a family memeber reach the phone to call 911 and get to the door to allow paramedics to help him.

Shelby

Shelby stepped in to save her mom from a bear attack and suffered several injuries in doing so. She is a sweetheart and such a brave girl!

A lot of things can take a physical toll on your home
over time and affect its appearance. While weather, foot traffic, and children
all leave their mark, pets also announce their presence in ways that can be
difficult to keep up with and which detract from the visual appeal of the house
you work so hard to maintain. Whether you have an enormous dog, a long-haired
cat, or a pot-bellied pig, you know how much damage a furry friend is capable
of doing. Fur-bearing pets are hosts for countless microbes and bacteria, which accumulate and affect
your air quality and threaten your family’s health. Not to mention, there’s the
physical damage pets do to furniture, wood, and carpeting.

Considering the time it takes to keep up with
everything, it’s well worth your while to make cleaning as easy as possible.
Here are some tips to get started.

Pet-Proof Your
Whole Home

Most people think of pet-proofing as only a way to
keep their pets out of danger. That’s an important reason to check this off
your chore list, but actually, doing so will actually help you keep your home
clean. For instance, if you have a pooch, invest in a kitchen trash can with a latching lid so your dog doesn’t drag
food scraps and garbage all over the house, and keep dirty laundry secure so
he’s not tempted to “claim” it the way dogs tend to do. For cats, in addition
to protecting your furniture (take a look at the section below), avoid leaving
containers of liquid in an area they can reach — cats are notorious for
knocking over full glasses, vases, and even fish bowls, so restricting Fluffy’s
access to these types of items will save you from mopping up a mess.

Pet-Friendly Fabrics

Keeping pets away from the furniture is a full-time
job. Cats want to sharpen their claws on it, and dogs want to settle in and nap
on it, and they’re both apt to vomit or urinate on it from time to time. That’s
why it’s such a good idea to cover furniture in something that’s easy to clean
and won’t show the long-term effects (or odors) of pet ownership. If you’re
going to give in and offer Fido free access to the couch or easy chair,
consider getting one covered in leather or microfiber, which are easier to clean
than velvet, silk, and upholstery. Whatever you choose, get used to cleaning up
hair, which is a fact of life with most dog or cat breeds.

As long as you’re going to have piles of fur to clean,
you may as well have the right tool for the job. That means getting a vacuum
cleaner that’ll stand up to the wear and tear, and keep everything spic and
span. A quality vacuum that can tackle pet hair on floors and furniture will
make your life a lot easier and keep pet hair under control, an important
factor if someone in the family has asthma or some other breathing disorder.
However, since not all vacuums were made with your furry friends in mind, check
out reviews before making a selection.

Also, make liberal use of your attachments, and dig
down between the cushions and around the frame to prevent hair and all the
microscopic creatures that come along with it from piling up. If carpeting becomes more trouble than
it’s worth, it might be time to look into tile or hardwood flooring to avoid
all that vacuuming and shampooing. Or, you could simply get a short-haired pet
that doesn’t shed as much, especially if you have a child with a serious
respiratory problem.

Don’t Let It Sit

It’s tempting to let a urine stain or vomit wait a while until you’re
ready to attack it, especially at the end of a very long work day. Avoid the
temptation. You could end up letting a stain set in and create a more
challenging cleaning job than you bargained for. A good rule of thumb is if you
see it, clean it. Pick up any solids with paper towels or a cloth, then use a
washcloth and plenty of water to wipe up the residue. Follow that with an
enzymatic cleaner to consume anything that was left behind and completely
remove the smell.

Entrance Routine

Dogs and outdoor cats bring a lot of things into your
home that don’t belong there. It may seem impossible to prevent, but there are
steps you can take to mitigate their presence. Make sure your pet is wiped down
with hypoallergenic grooming wipes when he comes in, and make sure those dirty
paws are cleaned with a microfiber doormat, which absorbs, dirt, mud, and
water. It’s probably not the way your pet wants to re-enter his domain, so make
it worth his while by providing a treat each time. Regular baths will also help
keep the bacteria and foreign objects under control.

Cleaning
up after pets is a matter of regular, timely maintenance. Deal with messes as
they occur, and be prepared to vacuum frequently if you have a long-haired pet
— unless you’re prepared to adapt your furniture and flooring to the impact a
dog or cat can have on your living environment.

Most dog owner’s do not realize the importance of keeping your dog’s teeth clean. It is of utmost importance to keep their pearly whites clean as well as plaque and tartar free. Aside from the fact that dental work on a canine is extremely expensive it also has a direct effect on their heart health too! I talk a lot about preventative measures to take in Pet First Aid classin order to avoid long-term illnesses.

Here are some important points:

Have your vet check your dog’s oral health when going in for a regular check up

Check the food and treats you feed for any indications of helping fight plaque and tooth decay

Giving your dog dental treats are very beneficial because they will often get into grooves of their teeth that you are unable to get to with a toothbrush

Brushing 101

Choosing the correct brush is important, most stores sell either a large longer sized brush which is great for larger dogs and there are also small finger brushesthat work great for smaller dogs and dogs who are more comfortable with having their owners poke into their mouth.

You want to make this a positive experience so that your dog becomes accustomed to having their teeth brushed and it is a routine to them. Using treats to reward them is really great and using positive words as you do so will also help.

For the first time, you can use the toothbrush only with no paste on it so that your dog has a chance to get used to having something in their mouth and having their teeth rubbed

Incorporate the toothpaste slowly, some stores even offer peanut butter and chicken flavored toothpastewhich will help. You want to give your dog a taste of the toothpasteprior to inserting the brush with the paste into their mouth.